Welcome events honor 15 years of Ironman Lake Placid

July 25, 2014

LAKE PLACID - From 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, a series of Ironman welcoming events will draw crowds to Mid's Park and the surrounding sidewalks preceding the race on Sunday.

The voice of Ironman, Mike Reilly, will host the event. Olympic medal-winning skier and Lake Placid native Andrew Weibrecht will be there for a meet and greet and to light the Ironman and Olympic cauldron.

An hour-long musical performance by the band Katie on the Water will kick-start the events at 6 p.m. at the park.

A program will begin at 7 p.m. on a jumbo television facing the lake, which should prevent crowds from spilling onto the street, as a tribute for 15 years of Ironman history in the Olympic Village.

The program will honor volunteers and athletes that have been with the event since its inaugural year in 1999. An Ironman Foundation video will follow the program.

After the video, a handheld Ironman torch will be sold in a live auction to benefit the Lake Placid Police Benevolent Association.

Ironman Race Director Greg Borzilleri expects between 500 to 1,000 people to attend, the majority of them new to Ironman because experienced athletes and spectators have seen multiple welcoming ceremonies.

The activities will wrap up around 8 p.m. The Olympic Center's 1980 Rink is the alternate location in the event of inclement weather.

Ironman merchandise such as clothing and accessories and additional information will be available at the expo, which runs from Thursday to Sunday.